After the weekend and the boy's birthday party (which only lasted for 2 hours mind you) I can say that I am party-pooped! I thought the house full of girls was loud and crazy... but the boys sure held their own. As soon as they arrived, we had six large pizzas waiting. Within about 10 minutes, they were devoured (minus about 3 pieces). WOWZA! 
Then they scattered all over the house and outside the house. Some were playing Game Cube, some were playing Nintendo, others were outside battling with swords or light sabers in a make believe world. Just about the time we got the dinner mess cleaned up, it was time for opening presents and starting with the root beer floats! That worked out well. 10 boys gathered around the table and vigorously ate their treat while Titus and Moses opened gifts. Then....cake. But if that weren't enough, after the food and presents... they went back to playing outside. The only real downside of the evening was when someone started spraying the hose and others began flicking water from the pool on each other. It was a water war... and not an intended one. I had to send towels home with several boys. One kid was soaked so bad I made him change into some of Moses' clothes. Overall, they all seemed to have a blast.
BOYS
Titus and Moses are in the middle.
Our evening ended with gift bags for all the guests and then Dad blessed the children with the "Birthday Blessing". It was a memorable evening!
Last night, we had an ice cream social at church. I didn't sign up to take anything. I wasn't sure if I would be up to it or not. BUT... I ended up making BLUE MOON ice cream- just like what I enjoyed from the Amish
Cheese Cellar back in Ohio when I was a kid. I think I got the recipe pretty close, with the addition of a small amount of food coloring to tinge it orange. The original just looked white. Anyway, my family tasted it and thought it was good. It's ice cream, but has a light orange sherbet taste with fresh pineapple. 
Very refreshing on a hot day... especially one that reached over 100 yesterday here in the metro!Then last night, 3 out of the 5 kids were invited to overnights (the boys actually went to an overnight birthday party), so Pete and I are home today with just the 2 little boys. We are going to go and visit Great Grandma Shipps
for lunch today in Kansas. She was worried that I would feel up to traveling, but she's only an hour away. I think I can handle being that far. She hasn't seen Pete since he was injured and I think it would settle her mind to know that he is doing better each day and looks well. Tomorrow is a follow up visit for Pete and I will be sure to give you a better update then. I will tell you that he was very bad this weekend and took the van out twice while I was resting on Saturday!
He isn't supposed to be driving until he's re-evaluated tomorrow. How am I gonna stop him???? He is trying to prove to me that he's ready to go back to work! 
I think he needs at least another week! After all, the doctor told him it takes a month to heal from that kind of wound! Plus, I don't think he could chase down any suspects right now....
Thanks for visiting today, friend!
